Novel dihydropyrrolo[2,3-f] indole-diketopyrrolopyrrole semiconducting materials, and methods and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Described herein are heterocyclic organic compounds. More specifically, described herein are compounds based on the combination of fused pyrrole structures with diketopyrrolopyrrole structures, methods for making these compounds, and uses thereof. The compounds disclosed have improved electronic, polymerization and stability properties that allow for improved material processibility and inclusion in organic semiconductor devices.

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/248,164, filed on Aug. 26, 2016, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US15/17710 filed Feb. 26, 2015, the content of which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/946,004, filed on Feb. 28, 2014, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Described herein are compositions including heterocyclic organic compounds. More specifically, described herein are fused pyrrole-containing compounds in combination with diketopyrrolopyrrole compounds, methods for making them, and uses thereof.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Highly conjugated organic materials, due to their interesting electronic and optoelectronic properties, are being investigated for use in a variety of applications, including organic semiconductors (OSCs), field effect transistors (FETs), thin-film transistors (TFTs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), electro-optic (EO) applications, as conductive materials, as two photon mixing materials, as organic semiconductors, and as non-linear optical (NLO) materials.

In particular, OSCs have attracted a great amount of attention in the research community due to their advantages over inorganic semiconductors, including easy processing, high mechanical flexibility, low cost production, and low weights. Polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as oligothiophenes, acenes, rylenes, phthalocyanens, and polythiophene, have been widely studied as semiconductor materials.

Among the organic p-type semiconductors, pentacene exhibits charge mobilities well above 1 cm²/V·s in organic field effect transistor devices. This number has been set up as a bench mark for new small molecule systems in terms of mobility requirements. However, due to the continuing need for improved performance and stability in semiconductor structures, there continues to be an unmet need to develop better performing OSCs that have improved mobility, are structurally stable, and applicable to the large number of potential applications seen in the various high technology markets.

SUMMARY

Embodiments comprise a rationally designed family of compounds and polymers comprising optionally-substituted dihydropyrroloindoles (“DHPI”), dipyrrolothiophenes or fused pyrroles (all generally referred to as “pyrrole groups” herein) bridged to optionally substituted diketopyrrolopyrroles (“DPP”). The materials have advantages over DPP alone in that they are soluble in non-chlorinated solvents, efficiently synthesized, and show very high mobilities in non-chlorinated solvents. Further, the compounds are relatively easy to modify and substituents can be introduced to multiple positions which allows for fine tuning material packing behaviors.

A first embodiment comprises a compound of formula:

wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group; k is an integer from 0 to 5 with the proviso that when k is 0, the structure results in a direct bond between the thiophene and pyrrole group; each X is independently NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Te, or Se, with the proviso that due to conjugation, X may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; each Y is independently H, halo, trialkylsilane, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, optionally substituted sulfone, OSO-alkyl, Mg-halo, Zn-halo, Sn(alkyl)₃, SnH₃, B(OH)₂, B(alkoxy)₂, or OTs; and each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted hetero aryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In some embodiments, the compound comprises 1a or 1b. In other embodiments, the compound comprises 1c, 1d, or 1e. In still other embodiments, the compound comprises 2. In some embodiments, X is NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Se, or Te; and each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In other embodiments, each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl from the group consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, oxaxolyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, naphthalenyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolinyl, or naphthyridinyl. In some embodiments, each R₂ is independently H, halo, or optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl.

In particular embodiments, it is advantageous to have at least one or more of R, R₂, or R₃ independently be an optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, and in particular an optionally substituted branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl. Particular embodiments may have optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups only on one or more R₂ groups, or alternatively only on one or more R groups.

In some embodiments, the compound comprises 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e or 2, and the hole reorganization energy is less than 0.75 eV, less than 0.65, less than 0.5, less than 0.4, or less than 0.35 eV. In some embodiments, the hole reorganization energy is from about 0.05 to about 0.75, about 0.05 to about 0.65, about 0.05 to about 0.5, about 0.05 to about 0.04 or about 0.05 to about 0.35 eV.

Another embodiment comprises a polymer of formula:

wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group or conjugated group; k is an integer from 0 to 5 with the proviso that when k is 0, the structure results in a direct bond between the thiophene and diindole groups; n is an integer greater than zero; each X is independently NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Te, or Se, with the proviso that due to conjugation, X may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, optionally substituted hetero aryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In some embodiments, the compound comprises 1a′ or 1b′. In other embodiments, the compound comprises 1c′, 1d′, or 1e′. In still other embodiments, the compound comprises 2′. In some embodiments, for 1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, or 2′, X is NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Se, or Te, with the proviso that due to conjugation, X₁ may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; and each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In other embodiments, each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl from the group consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, oxaxolyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, naphthalenyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolinyl, or naphthyridinyl. In some embodiments, each R₂ is independently H, halo, or optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl.

In particular embodiments, it is advantageous to have at least one or more of R, R₂, or R₃ independently be an optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, and in particular an optionally substituted branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl. Particular embodiments may have optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups only on one or more R₂ groups, or alternatively only on one or more R groups.

In some embodiments, for 1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, or 2′, n is an integer from 1 to 500 and k is an integer from 1 to 3.

Another embodiment comprises a method of synthesizing a compound comprising:

comprising respectively allowing one or more diindole compounds to optionally react with a DPP compound, wherein each Y, k, X, R, R₁, R₂ and R₃ is as described above.

Another embodiment comprises a method of making a compound of structure:

Comprising respectively polymerizing a compound of structure:

wherein each X, R, R₁, R₂, R₃, n, and k is as described above and each Y is independently a reactive group that allows for polymerization. In some embodiments each Y is independently H, halo, trialkylsilane optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, optionally substituted sulfone, OSO-alkyl, Mg-halo, Zn-halo, Sn(alkyl)₃, SnH₃, B(OH)₂, B(alkoxy)₂, or OTs.

Another embodiment comprises a device comprising compound 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, or 2 or polymer 1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, or 2′.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as in the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a graph of a simple mobility ranking metric based on linear combination of Neutral Dipole Moment and the inverse of the Reorganization Energy. Corresponding values for this metric have to be maximized for an optimal mobility property. Corning's previous polymer is at the Pareto Front 27 and is ranked lowest in this classification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present materials, articles, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the aspects described below are not limited to specific compounds, synthetic methods, or uses as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings:

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise,” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

The term “alkyl” refers to a monoradical branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, or 40 carbon atoms, in some embodiments having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and more typically having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the number of carbons in the alkyl is designated by the range C_(a)-C_(b), where “a” is the lower limit and “b” is the upper limit. This term is exemplified by groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, t-butyl, n-hexyl, n-decyl, tetradecyl, and the like.

The term “substituted alkyl” refers to: (1) an alkyl group as defined above, having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents, typically 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO— alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or (2) an alkyl group as defined above that is interrupted by 1-10 atoms independently chosen from oxygen, sulfur and NR_(a), where R_(a) is chosen from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl. All substituents may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, or —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or (3) an alkyl group as defined above that has both 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents as defined above and is also interrupted by 1-10 atoms as defined above.

The term “alkylene” refers to a diradical of a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain, having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 carbon atoms, typically 1-10 carbon atoms, more typically 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. This term is exemplified by groups such as methylene (—CH₂—), ethylene (—CH₂CH₂—), the propylene isomers (e.g., —CH₂CH₂CH₂— and —CH(CH₃)CH₂—) and the like.

The term “substituted alkylene” refers to: (1) an alkylene group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO— alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2; or (2) an alkylene group as defined above that is interrupted by 1-20 atoms independently chosen from oxygen, sulfur and NR_(a)—, where R_(a) is chosen from hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl, or groups selected from carbonyl, carboxyester, carboxyamide and sulfonyl; or (3) an alkylene group as defined above that has both 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents as defined above and is also interrupted by 1-20 atoms as defined above. Examples of substituted alkylenes are chloromethylene (—CH(Cl)—), aminoethylene (—CH(NH₂)CH₂—), methylaminoethylene (—CH(NHMe)CH₂—), 2-carboxypropylene isomers (—CH₂CH(CO₂H)CH₂—), ethoxyethyl (—CH₂CH₂O—CH₂CH₂—), ethylmethylaminoethyl (—CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—), and the like.

The term “aralkyl” refers to an aryl group covalently linked to an alkylene group, where aryl and alkylene are defined herein. “Optionally substituted aralkyl” refers to an optionally substituted aryl group covalently linked to an optionally substituted alkylene group. Such aralkyl groups are exemplified by benzyl, phenylethyl, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propyl, and the like.

The term “alkoxy” refers to the group R—O—, where R is an optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or R is a group -Q-Z, in which Q is optionally substituted alkylene and Z is optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl; or optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl are as defined herein. Typical alkoxy groups are optionally substituted alkyl-O— and include, by way of example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, sec-butoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, 1,2-dimethylbutoxy, trifluoromethoxy, and the like.

The term “alkylthio” refers to the group R_(S)—S—, where R_(S) is as R is defined for alkoxy.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a monoradical of a branched or unbranched unsaturated hydrocarbon group typically having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more typically 2 to 20 carbon atoms and even more typically 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having 1-6, typically 1, double bond (vinyl). Typical alkenyl groups include ethenyl or vinyl (—CH═CH₂), 1-propylene or allyl (—CH₂CH═CH₂), isopropylene (—C(CH₃)═CH₂), bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene, and the like. In the event that alkenyl is attached to nitrogen, the double bond cannot be alpha to the nitrogen.

The term “substituted alkenyl” refers to an alkenyl group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents, and typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO— alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO— heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “alkynyl” refers to a monoradical of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, typically having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, more typically 2 to 20 carbon atoms and even more typically 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and typically from 1-6 sites of acetylene (triple bond) unsaturation. Typical alkynyl groups include ethynyl, (—C≡CH), propargyl (or prop-1-yn-3-yl, —CH₂C≡CH), and the like. In the event that alkynyl is attached to nitrogen, the triple bond cannot be alpha to the nitrogen.

The term “substituted alkynyl” refers to an alkynyl group as defined above having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents, and typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO-heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aminocarbonyl” refers to the group —C(O)NR_(N)R_(N) where each R_(N) is independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or where both R_(N) groups are joined to form a heterocyclic group (e.g., morpholino). Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, —CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “acylamino” refers to the group —NR_(NCO)C(O)R where each R_(NCO) is independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “acyloxy” refers to the groups —O(O)C-alkyl, —O(O)C-cycloalkyl, —O(O)C-aryl, —O(O)C-heteroaryl, and —O(O)C-heterocyclyl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, —CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiple rings (e.g., biphenyl), or multiple condensed (fused) rings (e.g., naphthyl or anthryl). Typical aryls include phenyl, naphthyl and the like.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the aryl substituent, such aryl groups can optionally be substituted with from 1 to 5 substituents, typically 1 to 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, aryloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonyl amino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO— heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “aryloxy” refers to the group aryl-O— wherein the aryl group is as defined above, and includes optionally substituted aryl groups as also defined above. The term “arylthio” refers to the group aryl-S—, where aryl is as defined as above.

The term “amino” refers to the group —NH₂.

The term “substituted amino” refers to the group —NR_(w)R_(w) where each R_(w) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, carboxyalkyl (for example, benzyloxycarbonyl), aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclyl provided that both R_(w) groups are not hydrogen, or a group —Y—Z, in which Y is optionally substituted alkylene and Z is alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, or alkynyl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “carboxyalkyl” refers to the groups —C(O)O-alkyl or —C(O)O-cycloalkyl, where alkyl and cycloalkyl, are as defined herein, and may be optionally further substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to carbocyclic groups of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a single cyclic ring or multiple condensed rings. Such cycloalkyl groups include, by way of example, single ring structures such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclooctyl, and the like, or multiple ring structures such as adamantanyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl, (2,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl), or carbocyclic groups to which is fused an aryl group, for example indane, and the like.

The term “cycloalkenyl” refers to carbocyclic groups of from 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a single cyclic ring or multiple condensed rings with at least one double bond in the ring structure.

The terms “substituted cycloalkyl” or “substituted cycloalkenyl” refer to cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl groups having 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents, and typically 1, 2, or 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, aryloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonyl amino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO-alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO— heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “halogen” or “halo” refers to a fluoro, bromo, chloro, and iodo substituent.

The term “acyl” denotes a group —C(O)R_(CO), in which R_(CO) is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a radical derived from an aromatic cyclic group (i.e., fully unsaturated) having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur within at least one ring. Such heteroaryl groups can have a single ring (e.g., pyridyl or furyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g., indolizinyl, benzothiazolyl, or benzothienyl). Examples of heteroaryls include, but are not limited to, [1,2,4]oxadiazole, [1,3,4]oxadiazole, [1,2,4]thiadiazole, [1,3,4]thiadiazole, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, thiophene, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthylpyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, phenanthroline, isothiazole, phenazine, isoxazole, phenoxazine, phenothiazine, imidazolidine, imidazoline, triazole, oxazole, thiazole, naphthyridine, and the like as well as N-oxide and N-alkoxy derivatives of nitrogen containing heteroaryl compounds, for example pyridine-N-oxide derivatives.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heteroaryl substituent, such heteroaryl groups can be optionally substituted with 1 to 5 substituents, typically 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonyl amino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO— alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO— heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “heteroaralkyl” refers to a heteroaryl group covalently linked to an alkylene group, where heteroaryl and alkylene are defined herein. “Optionally substituted heteroaralkyl” refers to an optionally substituted heteroaryl group covalently linked to an optionally substituted alkylene group. Such heteroaralkyl groups are exemplified by 3-pyridylmethyl, quinolin-8-ylethyl, 4-methoxythiazol-2-ylpropyl, and the like.

The term “heteroaryloxy” refers to the group heteroaryl-O—.

The term “heterocyclyl” refers to a monoradical saturated or partially unsaturated group having a single ring or multiple condensed rings, having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and from 1 to 10 hetero atoms, typically 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms, selected from nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and/or oxygen within the ring. Heterocyclic groups can have a single ring or multiple condensed rings, and include tetrahydrofuranyl, morpholino, piperidinyl, piperazino, dihydropyridino, and the like.

Unless otherwise constrained by the definition for the heterocyclyl substituent, such heterocyclyl groups can be optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and typically 1, 2 or 3 substituents, selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, azido, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, keto, thiocarbonyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, arylthio, heteroarylthio, heterocyclylthio, thiol, alkylthio, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, aminosulfonyl, aminocarbonylamino, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclooxy, hydroxyamino, alkoxyamino, nitro, —SO— alkyl, —SO-aryl, —SO— heteroaryl, —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-aryl and —SO₂-heteroaryl. Unless otherwise constrained by the definition, all substituents may optionally be further substituted by 1-3 substituents chosen from alkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, CF₃, amino, substituted amino, cyano, and —S(O)_(n)R_(SO), where R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl and n is 0, 1 or 2.

The term “thiol” refers to the group —SH.

The term “substituted alkylthio” refers to the group —S— substituted alkyl.

The term “heteroarylthiol” refers to the group —S— heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl group is as defined above including optionally substituted heteroaryl groups as also defined above.

The term “sulfoxide” refers to a group —S(O)R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. “Substituted sulfoxide” refers to a group —S(O)R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, or substituted heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “sulfone” refers to a group —S(O)₂R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. “Substituted sulfone” refers to a group —S(O)₂R_(SO), in which R_(SO) is substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, or substituted heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “keto” refers to a group —C(O)—.

The term “thiocarbonyl” refers to a group —C(S)—.

The term “carboxy” refers to a group —C(O)OH.

The term “conjugated group” is defined as a linear, branched or cyclic group, or combination thereof, in which p-orbitals of the atoms within the group are connected via delocalization of electrons and wherein the structure can be described as containing alternating single and double or triple bonds and may further contain lone pairs, radicals, or carbenium ions. Conjugated cyclic groups may comprise both aromatic and non-aromatic groups, and may comprise polycyclic or heterocyclic groups, such as diketopyrrolopyrrole. Ideally, conjugated groups are bound in such a way as to continue the conjugation between the thiophene moieties they connect.

Disclosed are compounds, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are products of the disclosed methods and compositions. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these compounds may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. Thus, if a class of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed as well as a class of molecules D, E, and F and an example of a combination molecule, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individually recited, each is individually and collectively contemplated. Thus, in this example, each of the combinations A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F; and the example combination A-D. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F; and the example combination A-D. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in methods of making and using the disclosed compositions. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.

Embodiments comprise rationally designed compounds and polymers comprising optionally-substituted dihydropyrroloindoles (“DHPI”), dipyrrolothiophenes or fused pyrroles (all generally referred to as “pyrrole groups” herein) bridged to optionally substituted diketopyrrolopyrroles (“DPP”). The materials have advantages over DPP alone in that they are soluble in non-chlorinated solvents, efficiently synthesized, and show very high mobilities in non-chlorinated solvents. Further, the compounds are relatively easy to modify and substituents can be introduced to multiple positions which allows for fine tuning material packing behaviors.

In one aspect, described herein are compositions comprising the formula 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, or 2:

wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group or conjugated group; k is an integer from 0 to 5 with the proviso that when k is 0, the structure results in a direct bond between the thiophene and pyrrole group; each X is independently NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Te, or Se, with the proviso that due to conjugation, X may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; each Y is independently H, halo, trialkylsilane, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, optionally substituted sulfone, OSO-alkyl, Mg-halo, Zn-halo, Sn(alkyl)₃, SnH₃, B(OH)₂, B(alkoxy)₂, or OTs; each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted hetero aryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In some embodiments, the compound comprises 1a or 1b. In other embodiments, the compound comprises 1c or 1d, or 1e. In still other embodiments, the compound comprises 2. In some embodiments, X is NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Se, or Te with the proviso that due to conjugation, X may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; and each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone.

In some embodiments, each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, halo, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or aralkyl.

In some embodiments, each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted thiophenyl, optionally substituted furanyl, optionally substituted pyrrolyl, optionally substituted imidazolyl, optionally substituted triazolyl, optionally substituted oxaxolyl, optionally substituted thiazolyl, optionally substituted napthalenyl, optionally substituted isoquinolinyl, optionally substituted quinolinyl, or optionally substituted naphthyridinyl.

In some embodiments, each R₂ is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, or halo. In particular, due to improvements in solubility and other factor, it is advantageous in some embodiments to have at least one or more of R, R₂, or R₃ independently be an optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, and in particular an optionally substituted branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl. Particular embodiments may have optionally substituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups only on one or more R₂ groups, or alternatively only on one or more R groups.

In some embodiments, particularly where compounds 1a-1e and 2 are to be used in polymerization steps, each Y is independently H, halo, —OSO-alkyl, —Mg-halo, —Zn-halo, —Sn(alkyl)₃, —SnH₃, —B(OH)₂, or —B(alkoxy)₂.

Another aspect comprises methods of making compounds 1a-1e and 2. The formation of the dipyrrolopyrole (DPP) moiety can be done via the reaction scheme shown in Tieke et al., Beilstein, J. Org. Chem. 830 (2010), 25 Chem. Mater. 782 (2013), and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/665,055, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Generally, the reaction to form the DPP moiety is shown via the following reaction scheme (Scheme 1):

Formation of the pyrrole groups can be done via a number of chemical processes. For example, it can be done via cyclization of a diamine- or amide-modified benzene ring. A number of cyclization processes have been developed to prepare the DHPIs described herein. For example, in Scheme 2, a N,N′-1,4-Phenylenebis[2-chloro-N—R₂]acetamide is added to anhydrous aluminum chloride in an oil bath at ˜200° C., cooled and filtered to produce the DHPI-dione shown.

The DHPI-dione can be converted to a di-halo moiety via reaction (Scheme 3):

Similarly, PCl₅ can be used to make the chlorine-based equivalent of the structure in Scheme 3.

The modification nitrogen on the diindole group can be accomplished via the use of a base, such as potassium tert-butoxide (t-BuOK) in solvent (e.g., DMSO) followed by reaction with R₂Br (Scheme 4):

where R, R₁, Ar, X, and k are as noted above. These reactions can also be applied to the other compounds disclosed herein.

Dibromination of the pyrrole groups can be accomplished using techniques developed by the inventors, see, e.g., PCT Int. Appl., 2011146308, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, where a compounds such as N-bromosuccinimide is used to brominate the pyrrole groups through radical reaction (Scheme 5):

Likewise, precursors to compounds 1b-1e, and 2, may also be brominated in a similar fashion.

In some cases, it is advantageous to place a reactive tin group on the pyrrole groups. It is possible to obtain a ditin-modified pyrrole group via methods developed by the inventors, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,346, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The ditin compound may be obtained either directly from reaction of a di-hydrogen compound or from the dibromo compound as shown in Scheme 6:

Likewise, the pyrrole groups in 1b-1e, and 2, may also be converted in a similar fashion.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to create a monomer of 1a-1e or 2. In such cases, it may be necessary to modify the chemistry of Scheme 6 to limit the formation of the ditin group to one side of the pyrrole compound. Modifications including the use of protecting groups or rendering reactive sites inactive is known in the art. Once the tin compound is formed, the pyrrole compound may be reacted with a bromo-modified DPP to produce compounds 1a-1e and 2. For example, a tin-modified compound of structure:

is reacted with a di-halo DPP of structure:

where X is halo and Ar, k, R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ are as defined above to produce structure 1a. This reaction is equally applicable to the other pyrrole structures in 1b-1e and 2.

In another aspect, the composition comprises a polymer comprising at least one moiety of formula 1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, or 2′:

wherein n is an integer greater than zero; X, Y, R, R₁, and R₂ all have the same meanings as above. In some embodiments, n is an integer from about 1 to 500. In some embodiments, n is an integer from about 3 to about 20, about 3 to about 15, about 3 to about 12, about 3 to about 10, or about 5 to about 9. In some embodiments, n is an integer about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500.

Another aspect comprises a method of making a polymer comprising at least one moiety of formula 1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, or 2′:

by respectively polymerizing a compound of structure:

with a compound of structure:

where X is halo and Z is H or an optionally substituted alkyl and n, X, Y, R, R₁, and R₂ all have the same meanings as above.

The polymerization may be done via a method similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,346, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, a ditin compound of structure:

where is reacted with a di-halo DPP of structure:

where X is halo and Ar, k, R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ are as defined above. This reaction is equally applicable to the other pyrrole structures of 1b-1e and 2.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, it may be possible to form the polymers directly from compounds 1a-1e and 2. For example, such embodiments may be made by forming two solutions of compounds 1a-1e and 2 with different reactive groups, for example where for one solution Y is a ditin moiety, and for a second solution Y is a dibromo moiety. Upon combination and reaction of the two solutions, polymerization leading to a polymer of 1a′-1e′ or 2′ would result.

In another aspect, embodiments herein are optimized for reorganization energy and mobility. In some embodiments, compounds embodied herein have improved solid state properties as a result of lower reorganization energy and/or higher mobility. In some embodiments, the properties of the compounds embodied herein may be described by Marcus theory (R. A. Marcus, 65 REV. MOD. PHYS. 599 (1993), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

Charge transport properties depend critically on the degree of ordering of the system or molecular ordering in the solid state, as well as the density of chemical impurities and/or structural defects such as grain size and dislocations. At the electronic level, two of the most important factors that control transport properties in organic conjugated materials are the interchain transfer integral β, and the reorganization energy λ. The transfer integral expresses the ease of transfer of a charge between interacting chains. The reorganization energy term describes the strength of the electron-phonon coupling. It is proportional to the geometric relaxation energy of the charged molecule over the individual neutral unit. In the context of semi-classical electron-transfer theory, the electron-transfer (hopping) rate can be expressed from Marcus theory in a simplified way as:

$\begin{matrix} {k_{et} = {\frac{4\pi^{2}}{h}\frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi \; k_{B}\lambda \; T}}\beta^{2}e^{- \frac{\; \lambda}{4k_{B}T}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

(R. A. Marcus, 65 REV. MOD. PHYS. 599 (1993), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) where T is the temperature, λ is the reorganization energy, β is the transfer integral, and h and k_(B) are the Planck and Boltzmann constants, respectively.

It is possible to simplify equation (1) to:

$\begin{matrix} {k_{et}^{simple} = {\frac{1}{\sqrt{\lambda}}\beta^{2}e^{- \lambda}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

in order to characterize the relative influence of both parameters λ and β to the charge transport rate. As can be seen from equation (2), the difference in mobility for different transfer integrals, β, is only significant for small values of the reorganization energy, λ. A big increase in the transfer integral does not yield a significant variation in the mobility, unless the reorganization energies are small. This implies that any optimization of the mobility should start with the design of single molecules with very low reorganization energy.

The reorganization energy includes two contributions that are associated with charge hopping. One is introduced by the geometric changes within the single molecule, and is denoted the internal part. The second one arises from the repolarization changes of the surrounding medium and is usually much smaller than the first one. In studies to qualitatively order molecules, it is generally valid to neglect this last contribution in the evaluation of the reorganization energy as no significant solvent reorganization occurs during the charge transfer in the condensed phase.

Table 1 incorporates reorganization energies for a number of embodiments. For each molecule, the geometry is optimized using quantum mechanics for both neutral and ionic states. Consequently, the basic hopping step in a molecular wire is defined by four energies: E₀ and E₊ represent the energies of the neutral and cation species in their lowest energy geometries, respectively, while E₀* and E₊* represent the energies of the neutral and cation species with the geometries of the cation and neutral species, respectively. The table provides neutral total dipole for the molecule, the vertical ionization potential, the hole reorganization energy, and the Pareto Front.

The quantum mechanics calculations to determine these above mentioned quantities used the experimentally parameterized Hamiltonian PM6 implemented in VAMP® semi-empirical molecular orbital software (Accelrys Software Inc.). Pentacene was used as the reference to validate the Hole Reorganization Energy calculations. Experimental data for Pentacene RE was ˜0.12 eV (see M. Malagoli and J. L. Bredas, 327 CHEM. PHYS. LETT. 13 (2000) and N. W. Gruhn et al., 89 PHYS. REV. LETT. 275503 (2002), both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety), compared to 0.114 eV from our calculations based on VAMP® (Accelrys Software Inc.).

Hole Reorganization energies for embodiments may comprise from about 0 eV to about 0.75 eV. In some embodiments, the hole reorganization energy is from about 0.04 to about 0.75 eV. In some embodiments, the hole reorganization energy is 0.75 eV or less. In some embodiments, the hole reorganization energy is about 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.17, 0.19, 0.20, 0.22, 0.25, 0.27, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.37, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, or 0.75.

TABLE 1 Neutral Total Dipole Vertical Hole Reorg Pareto Compound [D] IP [eV] Energy [eV] Front

5.1790 6.6477 0.084295 1

5.2820 6.9662 0.089012 2

3.1940 6.8983 0.099444 3

3.0520 6.8904 0.10484 4

6.8030 6.7374 0.10872 5

3.0230 7.2784 0.11478 6

0.012000 7.7531 0.11516 7

6.2260 6.5287 0.12915 8

3.2690 6.5633 0.12955 9

4.4890 6.7172 0.13477 10

5.5240 6.9820 0.13575 11

1.6100 7.0450 0.14477 12

5.0320 6.5885 0.15718 13

7.9940 6.6464 0.16841 14

5.3830 6.6361 0.17426 15

6.4620 6.7225 0.19448 16

6.6250 6.5706 0.20366 17

5.5870 6.6298 0.24781 18

3.6340 6.9565 0.32312 19

3.9920 7.0522 0.33319 20

4.7780 6.7736 0.33917 21

5.5350 7.1914 0.33931 22

5.0060 6.7713 0.35348 23

5.1560 6.8570 0.36994 24

6.7190 6.8271 0.37773 25

7.8630 7.1224 0.63376 26

4.6680 7.7050 0.67130 27

The compositions described herein (monomers, oligomers, polymers) can be used to make a wide variety of devices. For example, the device can be a fused thiophene moiety-containing composition configured in an electronic, optoelectronic, or nonlinear optical device. The compositions described herein can also be used in field effect transistors (FETs), thin-film transistors (TFTs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), PLED applications, electro-optic (EO) applications, as conductive materials, as two photon mixing materials, as organic semiconductors, as non-linear optical (NLO) materials, as RFID tags, as electroluminescent devices in flat panel displays, in photovoltaic devices, and as chemical or biological sensors.

The polymers comprising the fused thiophene moieties described herein (1a′, 1b′, 1c′, 1d′, 1e′, and 2′) possess several advantages over similar compounds. The polymers embodied herein are easier to modify on the designed fused rings, allowing for improvements in the polymerization process and processibility. Further, substituents can be introduced to multiple positions which can enable fine tuning material packing behaviors.

EXAMPLES

The methods disclosed herein are intended for purposes of exemplifying only and are not to be construed as limitations thereon. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other synthetic routes may be used to synthesize the inventive compounds. Some aspects of some embodiments may be synthesized by synthetic routes that include processes analogous to those well-known in the chemical arts, particularly in light of the description contained herein. Although specific starting materials and reagents are depicted in the schemes and discussed below, other starting materials and reagents can be easily substituted to provide a variety of derivatives and/or reaction conditions. The starting materials are generally available from commercial sources, such as Aldrich Chemicals (Milwaukee, Wis.), or are readily prepared using methods well known to those skilled in the art (e.g., prepared by methods generally described in Louis F. Fieser and Mary Fieser, REAGENTS FOR ORGANIC SYNTHESIS, v. 1-19, Wiley, New York (1967-1999 ed.), or BEILSTEINS HANDBUCH DER ORGANISCHEN CHEMIE, 4, Aufl. ed. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, including supplements (also available via the Beilstein online database)). In addition, many of the compounds prepared by the methods described below can be further modified in light of this disclosure using conventional chemistry well known to those skilled in the art.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the materials, articles, and methods described and claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are numerous variations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., component concentrations, desired solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures, pressures and other reaction ranges and conditions that can be used to optimize the product purity and yield obtained from the described process. Although specific starting materials and reagents are depicted in the Examples below, other starting materials and reagents can be easily substituted to provide a variety of derivatives and/or reaction conditions. In addition, many of the compounds prepared by the methods described below can be further modified in light of this disclosure using conventional chemistry well known to those skilled in the art. Only reasonable and routine experimentation will be required to optimize such process conditions.

Example 1: N,N′-Didecahexylbenzene-1,4-diamine (1)

Cyclohexa-1,4-dione (6 g, 53.5 mmol) dissolved in 10 ethanol at 50° C. is added to a solution of hexadecylamine 28.4 g (technical grade) in ethanol (500 ml) in a beaker. The solution is vigorously stirred for 2 h and the resulting suspension is filtered and washed twice with 50 mL of hot ethanol. The yield of the tan powder is 15.7 g (53%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, Chloroform-d) δ 6.54 (s, 4H), 3.02 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 4H), 1.57 (p, J=7.1 Hz, 4H), 1.39-1.24 (m, 52H), 0.92-0.82 (m, 6H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 140.91, 114.72, 45.0, 31.91, 29.77, 29.67, 29.60, 22.68, 14.11.

Example 2: N,N′-1,4-Phenylenebis[2-chloro-N-hexyl]acetamide (2)

A solution of 1 (10 g, 17.95 mmol) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) (4.39 g, 35.11 mmol) in THF (500 mL) is added drop wise to a solution of chloroacetyl chloride (6.08 g, 53.86 mmol) in THF (100 mL) at 0° C. After 1 h, the reaction mixture is concentrated to about 50 mL and quenched with water. The precipitate is collected by filtration. After being washed with water and methanol, the solid is dried in vacuo to yield 8.4 g (65%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.30 (s, 4H), 3.80 (s, 4H), 3.74-3.63 (m, 4H), 1.71 (m, 4H), 1.51 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 4H), 1.22 (m, J=4.3 Hz, 16H), 0.85 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 48H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 165.4, 140.35, 126.32, 51.56, 41.72, 31.89, 29.66, 29.63, 29.61, 29.55, 29.33, 29.27, 26.66, 22.89, 22.66, 14.10.

Example 3: 1,5-dihexadecyl-5,7-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-f]indole-2,6(1H,3H)-dione (3)

940 mg of anhydrous aluminum chloride is added to 1 g of 2. The mixture is paced in an oil bath at 190° C. for 1 h. After cooling, cracked ice is added to quench the reaction. The precipitate formed is collected by filtration. After being washed with water and methanol, the solid is dried and further purified by column chromatography on silica gel with DCM:ethyl acetate=10:1 as eluent to yield 3 (56 mg, 6%) as a brown solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.75 (s, 4H), 3.60 (s, 4H), 1.82 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 4H), 1.22 (m, 16H), 0.86 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 48H); ¹³C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 175.4, 140.00, 123.32, 105.6 35.90, 31.89, 29.66, 29.63, 29.61, 29.55, 29.33, 29.81, 26.67, 22.89, 22.56, 14.10.

Example 4

A solution of 1 (0.2 g), t-NaOBu (0.22 g), Pd₂dba₃ (44 mg) and s-BINAP (120 mg) in dry toluene (6 mL) is purged with nitrogen for 20 min NH₂C₅H₁₁ (0.9 mL) is added via a syringe and the mixture is stirred under nitrogen at 110° C. for 30 min After cooling to room temperature, water is added to the solution and the reaction mixture is extracted twice with diethyl ether. After the organic phases are dried over MgSO₄, the solvents are removed using a rotary evaporator. The crude product is purified by column chromatography and the desired product (4) is obtained as white solid (MS found=MS calculated=406).

Example 5

(4) (116 mg) is mixed with CuI (3 mg), Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and TEA (6 mL) in an oven dried flask under Ar. The solution is degassed for 2-5 min TMS-acetylene (0.4 mL) is added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 90° C. for 3.5 h. After cooling down to room temperature, the reaction mixture is filtered through celite, the solid residue is washed with EtOAc, and the combined organic phases are concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash column chromatography yields the desired target structure (5) (MS found=MS calculated=440).

Example 6

TBAF is added to a solution of (5) (about 100 mg) in THF (2 mL) at 0° C. and the resulting solution is stirred for 30 min H₂O is added to dilute the solution, and then the organic layer is separated, washed with brine, and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford (6) as major compounds along with (7) as a minor compound (MS found=MS calculated=296).

Example 7

In a pressure tube, to a solution of (6) (contaminated small amount of (7)) (about 100 mg of (6) & (7)) in DMSO (3 mL), is added 110 mg of crushed KOH. The reaction is stirred at 120° C. overnight to convert all (6) into (7). The reaction is brought to room temperature and the reaction mixture is extracted through ethyl acetate-water partitioning. Ethyl acetate is dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated under reduced pressure (MS found=MS calculated=296).

Example 8

The addition of non-hydrogen R-groups to the nitrogen on the pyrrole group, for example, a commercially available, unmodified diindole, can be done via use of a base such as t-BuOK in DMSO with subsequent reaction with an alkyl bromide:

This reaction is based on work shown in references 34 New J. Chem. 1243 (2010) and 213 Macro. Chem. Phys. 425 (2012), herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Example 9

The compound formed in Example 8 can be reacted with N-butylsuccinimide to form the brominated diindole:

based on the teaching shown in PCT Publ. No. 2011/146308 (2011), herein incorporated by reference.

Example 10

The compound formed in Example can be reacted with n-BuLi in THF or hexane and then a tin complex for form the ditin diindole:

based on the teaching shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,346, herein incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a compound of formula:

wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group or conjugated group; k is an integer from 0 to 5 with the proviso that when k is 0, the structure results in a direct bond between the thiophene and pyrrole group; each X is independently NR₁, PR₁, AsR₁, Sb, O, S, Te, or Se, with the proviso that due to conjugation, X may be bonded to one or more additional R₁; each Y is independently H, halo, trialkylsilane, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, halo, acyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, optionally substituted sulfone, OSO-alkyl, Mg-halo, Zn-halo, Sn(alkyl)₃, SnH₃, B(OH)₂, B(alkoxy)₂, or OTs; and each R, R₁, R₂, and R₃ is independently H, halo, optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkenyl, optionally substituted C₂-C₄₀ alkynyl, aminocarbonyl, acylamino, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, optionally substituted amino, carboxyalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, acyl, optionally substituted hetero aryl, optionally substituted hetero aralkyl, heteroaryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, thiol, alkylthio, heteroarylthiol, optionally substituted sulfoxide, or optionally substituted sulfone; the method comprising reacting a compound of structure:

with a compound of structure:

where X is halo and Z is H or an optionally substituted alkyl.
 2. The method of claim 18/26/16, wherein k is from 0-3.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein X is N, S, or O.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each R₁ and R₃ are independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, halo, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted alkylthiol, or optionally substituted alkenyl.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each R and R₂ are independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, halo, or optionally substituted alkoxy.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein k is from 0-3, Ar is a thiophene or fused thiophene, X is N, S, or O, Y is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or halo, and each R₁ and R₃ are independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, halo, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted alkylthiol, or optionally substituted alkenyl. 